In the sensational world of sport, sporting arenas have been known to be a mark for pride, income, impression and board for their owners, tenants and the towns they are located. This fact is not negligible in football/soccer, a sport which is well recognized and played worldwide. Because of such popularity, the need for stadiums in the sport is on a high side due to the several teams that play the sport on a global scale.

This article considers the top-20 most expensive football stadiums in the world. On a countdown, these stadiums are characterized by their size, capacity, structural complexity, location, popularity and beauty; features of which contribute profoundly to their cost.

Here are the world’s most expensive football stadiums right now

20. The Azadi Stadium

Location: Tehran, Iran

Stadium Capacity: 95,225

Opened in 1973, the 95,225 capacity stadium currently used by Persepolis FC, Esteghlal FC and the Iran national football team is a fraction of a very large sporting multiphase which comprises of training grounds, swimming centres and also a tranquil lake. The stadium is the home-ground to 2 local teams and also the national team, one which signifies the country’s financial resources and their desire to contend at the pinnacle of sport on a global scale.

19. De Meer Stadion

Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands

Stadium Capacity: 53,052

Home-ground to AFC Ajax and the Netherlands national football team, the beautiful De Meer Stadion or Amsterdam Arena which hosted the 1998 UCL (UEFA Champions League) final and the 2013 Europa League final has a facility to accommodate 53,052 persons. It was opened in 1996 and is noted to be a much-loved football stadium worldwide. Contributing to its value is its beauty (though comparatively new due to a recent major renovation), its location which is in the heart of the country’s political capital (Amsterdam) and its popularity as some of the best players in soccer history graced from its lawn. One of which is the well known Johan Cruyff.

18. Estadio Da Luz

Location: Lisbon, Portugal

Stadium Capacity: 65,647

Truly an awesome work of art is The Estadio da Luz is the home to S.L. Benfica, and motivation for Arsenal FC’s Emirates Stadium, England. The two stadiums were planned by architectural firm Populous. Possessing a huge capacity with a thrilling atmosphere and design, the 2014 UEFA Champions League final stadium hosts 65,647 and has been a much-loved stadium since its opening in 2003.

17. Ibrox Stadium

Location: Glasgow, Scotland

Stadium Capacity: 51,082

Since its opening in 1899, the 51,082 capacity stadium located in Glasgow, Scotland is one which is regularly filled, not minding the difficulty of the club to which is its home-ground, Rangers FC. The value and popularity of this stadium is well attributed to its age, 120 years.

16. Juventus Stadium

Location: Turin, Italy

Stadium Capacity: 41,254

The Juventus Stadium is one of the most newly built stadiums in the world which can accommodate 41,254 persons. It hosted the 2014 UEFA Europa League final. The stadium is well known for its wonderful design amidst its relatively small capacity considering its age. Since its premiere in 2011, its club, Juventus FC has recorded some success as it has dominated the Italian Serie A league for some years now. Its age and modern design can be an attribute to the stadium’s value.

15. Celtic Park

Location: Glasgow, Scotland

Stadium Capacity: 60,355

The 127 years old stadium used by the Celtic Football club in Glasgow, Scotland is the first and biggest stadium in Scotland. Since 1892, the 60,355 capacity stadium is one which hosts one of the most wonderful fans in the history of soccer as the Celtic Park is frequently at its fill. Like a lot of old stadiums, Celtic Park’s value could also be attributed to its age as a monumental arena.

14. Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti

Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Stadium Capacity: 67,664

The Estadio Monumental is the largest stadium in Argentina with a capacity to contain 67,664 people and home-ground to River Plate FC, the most renowned football club in the country and used by the Argentinean national football team since its opening in 1938. It hosted the 1978 World Cup final where they won the tournament for the first time in the country’s history.

13. Estadio Alberto J. Armando

Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Stadium Capacity: 49,000

The home-ground to Boca Juniors, one of Argentina’s famed football side, the Estadio Alberto J. Armando is a 49,000 capacity stadium and the country’s second-oldest football stadium well known for its structure—one which looks like a box of chocolate and is called La Bombanera, an Argentine word used to describe chocolate. It is arguably the most famous football stadium in Argentina. Due to the popularity and fanaticism of the home team, which is said to make the stadium shake when at their loudest; the value of this arena could be one which would always keep its position in football ratings.

12. Estadio Centenario

Location: Montevideo, Uruguay

Stadium Capacity: 65,235

The official stadium for the Uruguayan national team which can contain a total of 65,235 persons was opened in 1930 and hosted the 1930 World cup final, the first of all World cup finals. It has one of the highest honours in world football as the only historic monument, the first and at now the only to have such honour. It is also in the list of one of the world’s classic stadiums as ranked by FIFA. All of these are contributors to the value.

11. Anfield Stadium

Location: Liverpool, England

Stadium Capacity: 45,275

Although not a large one as regards capacity (45,276), the stadium is legendary as of age since 1884 and recognized across the world. It is the perfect home-ground for a wonderful team like Liverpool. Anfield is identified by the famous Slogan ‘This Is Anfield’, and the zealous fans chanting ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’. This has made it a highly valued stadium in the world of football.

10. First National Bank Stadium

Location: Johannesburg, South Africa

Stadium Capacity: 94,736

The South African national stadium is a home-ground which hosted the 2010 World cup final, the first FIFIA World cup final in Africa. The stadium has a capacity to contain 94,736 persons although recently renovated in 2009 since its use in 1989, in preparation for the 2010 World cup. These moments have contributed to the value of the stadium.

9. Estadio Azteca

Location: Mexico City, Mexico

Stadium Capacity: 105,064

Used by the Club America FC and Mexican national football team, the 105,064 capacity stadium is the 1st stadium to hosts two FIFA World cup finals in football history. It had its premiere in 1966 and hosted 1970 and 1986 World cup finals. It is also the third-largest football stadium in the world, arguably the most important factor in its value.

8. Stadio Giuseppe Meazza

Location: Milan, Italy

Stadium Capacity: 80,018

The Giuseppe Meazza Milan is AC Milan, Internazionale was opened in 1926 and has a capacity to contain 80,018 persons. It hosted the 1965 and 1970 European Cup finals as well as the 2002 UCL final. The stadium is also recognized as San Siro it’s the country’s largest sporting facility and the home to two opponent teams. Its size and the moments it has enabled are all contributors to its value.

7. Signal Iduna Park

Location: Dortmund, Germany

Stadium Capacity: 80,645

The Signal Iduna Park which hosted group-stage matches in 1974 and 2006 World Cup is the Borussia Dortmund home-ground since its opening in 1974. It has the capacity to host 80,645 persons at its highest. It is also recognized as the largest stadium in the whole of Germany. The home team’s success in recent years has seen the stadium increase its price value. Also, Borussia Dortmund’s south stand ranks as Europe’s major free-standing grandstand with a total of 24,454 filling it each and every home game.

6. Allianz Arena

Location: Munich, Germany

Stadium Capacity: 71,437

The tyre designed Bayern Munich and 1860 Munich home-ground which opened in 2005 can contain 71,437 persons and it hosted the 2012 UCL final. It is as at now the only stadium in Europe that can change colours to be a sign of which two home teams are playing, Red for Bayern and Blue for 1860 Munich. Its uniqueness is a trademark for popularity that would be created in the outlook.

5. Maracana

Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Stadium Capacity: 78,838

The stadium for the Brazilian national football team which had its premiere in 1950 has a capacity of 78,838 and was the venue for the 1950 World Cup crucial group stage match, 2014 World Cup finals and 2016 Olympic Games football final. Its worth can be regarded to its location as it is placed in one of the most elegant and popular cities in the world and also the notable memories it holds in football history.

4. Old Trafford Stadium

Location: Manchester, England

Stadium Capacity: 75,731

Ranked as the biggest football club stadium in England, the 75,731 seater stadium hosted the 2003 UCL final three years before its renovation in 2006. Since its opening in 1910, Manchester United’s Old Trafford continues to host the high amount of fans and supporters that visit to watch one of the biggest football clubs. As a result of this, the worth of this magnificent piece is on a sky price.

3. Santiago Bernabeu

Location: Madrid, Spain

Stadium Capacity: 85,454

Belonging to the most successful club in soccer history (Real Madrid) and the Spanish national football team is the 85,454 sitter Santiago Bernabeu. The stadium is known for hosting noteworthy matches of which are the 1957, 1969 and 1980 European Cup finals, 2010 UCL final and the 1982 FIFA World Cup final. Since 1947 when it was first used, the Grand stadium has undergone reconstructions in 1982 and 2001. Strengthening the status of this arena is the fact that it boarded some of the best players in the history of soccer. With its capacity, location, and beauty the esteem of the Santiago Bernabeu is notable now and for a long time.

2. Camp Nou

Camp Nou

Location: Barcelona, Spain

Stadium Capacity: 99,354

Sitting as Europe’s largest soccer stadium is the beautiful, prestigious FC Barcelona’s Nou Camp. The striking 99,354 sitter stadium was the venue for the 1989 European Cup final and the 1999 UCL final. Its record attendance is 120,000 during the 1982 FIFA World cup finals. Since 1957, the stadium has been one to watch some of the greatest football stars and an iconic one in soccer history. Due to its size and speciality, the highly esteemed Nou Camp is undoubtedly one of great value.

1. Wembley Stadium

Wembley Stadium (Image credit: Tom Shaw/Getty Images)

Location: Wembley, London

Stadium Capacity: 90,000

Owned by the English national football team and used by Tottenham Hotspur FC, the 90,000 seater grand Webley stadium is no doubt one of the most prized stadiums in Soccer. After its reconstruction in 2007, the transformed New Wembley stadium looked better and grander than its former 1923 look. It was the Venue for 2011, 2012 UCL finals and also the London 2012 Olympic football game final.

Conclusion

There you have it—our list of the top-10 most expensive football/soccer stadiums in the world right now. Which soccer stadium did you expect on this list? Please share with us in the comment section.